Abstract:
Coastal flooding is expected to be one of the major impacts of climate change in the
Portuguese continental territory. In this study beach morphological indicators and hydrodynamic
forcings, assessed through field data, allow a comparative analysis of overtopping and flooding
conditions in two beaches located in the Portuguese central west coast, Cova-Gala and São Pedro de
Moel, during recent events. Results show that for the same hydrodynamic conditions beaches are
differently affected. Water level and beach cross-shore profile gradient seem to be the main triggering
factors for overtopping occurrence in Cova-Gala. In São Pedro de Moel beach, wave set-up and
incoming wave direction can force inland inundation independently of the beach morphological state.
These outcomes point out the importance of a comprehensive knowledge of the local factors in adequate
flood hazard predictions and mitigation measures development.
